Super Bowl Season Snacks

The Super Bowl is almost here and lucky for us, it's a day celebrated with football, friends, and tasty, although not always healthy, food. From the loud roars of crowds at the stadium in Miami to the rowdy get together at your own home, someone has to keep the fans happy and satisfied with game day snacks. We love the traditional wings and dips, but hope to spice up your Sunday festivities with some goodies that perhaps do not instantly scream Super Bowl Sunday.

Here's a great video regarding party preparation courtesy of Food Network Cooking for Real's Sunny Anderson and her pregame "KICKOFF" tips:

Bring on the dips!

Jalapeño Dip

courtesy of Le Croissant Catering

The great thing about this dip is that it is easily adjustable for any party size.

Ingredients

• 1 part cream cheese
• 1/2 part Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 part Mayo (I would use sour cream or yogurt)
• green chiles
• Jalapeños to taste.

Directions
Mix well and heat until bubbles

Here are the perfect homemade chips to serve with it:

Ingredients

• Uncooked flour tortillas
• Parmesan cheese
• Vegetable spray

Direction

Spray with vegetable spray. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake until crispy.

Artichoke Dip

courtesy of Kristi Williams

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Mayo
• 1/2 cup Miracle Whip
• 1 can chopped green chillies
• 1 cube or softened cream cheese
• 1 can of artichoke (cut them up)
• 1 tub of fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions
Mix together and put in pie dish. Cook at 350 degrees for 20 min.

Ina Garten's Guacamole

courtesy of Food Network

Ingredients

• 4 ripe Haas avocados
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon)
• 8 dashes hot pepper sauce
• 1/2 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium tomato, seeded, and small-diced

Directions

1. Cut the avocados in 1/2, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh out of their shells into a large bowl. (I use my hands.)
2. Immediately add the lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper and toss well.
3. Using a sharp knife, slice through the avocados in the bowl until they are finely diced. Add the tomatoes. Mix well and taste for salt and pepper.

Cheesy Artichoke Dip

courtesy of Aida Mollenkamp, CHOW

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium white onion, finely chopped
• 5 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 (14-ounce) cans artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When it foams, add onion and garlic, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook until onion and garlic are golden, about 4 minutes. Stir in flour and cook until the raw flavor is gone, about 1 minute.
3. Sprinkle in 3/4 cup of the Parmesan, pour in cream, and stir to incorporate. Add artichoke hearts, sour cream, and 1/2 cup of the Gruyère and stir until cheese begins to melt.
4. Transfer dip to an 8-by-8-inch baking dish and top with remaining Parmesan and Gruyère and the panko. Bake until heated through, bubbling on the edges, and the cheese is melted, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes. Serve with crackers or pita chips.

For a more substantial snack:

I made these Spicy Fried Chicken Bites with Derby Dip earlier this fall. Might I also suggest this delicious honey mustard sauce to go with it:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Mix well.

Pat's Spicy Fried Wings

courtesy of Pat Neely, Food Network

Ingredients
Spicy Chicken Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper
• 12 whole chicken wings, cut in 1/2 at the joint

Spicy Chicken Batter:

• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil, to fry
• Dipping Sauce, recipe follows

Directions

1. In a small bowl whisk together seasoning salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, cayenne pepper, poultry seasoning, and lemon pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons in a separate bowl.
2. Rinse chicken wings in cold water and place into a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle the wings evenly with the seasoning, and let them marinate, covered and chilled, for 1 hour.
3. Whisk eggs, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into a medium size mixing bowl. Reserve. Put the flour into a shallow dish or pie plate.
4. In a large deep-fryer or large Dutch oven heat oil to 350 degrees F on a deep-fat thermometer.
5. Dredge chicken wings into the egg mixture then into the flour. Place wings 3 at a time into the hot oil and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through and golden brown. Remove to a paper towel lined sheet tray. Make sure oil returns to temperature before adding the next batch. Sprinkle the wings with the reserved seasoning for extra hot wings.

Serve with dipping sauce.

Spicy Dipping Sauce:
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons horseradish
1/4 tablespoon chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Sweet Pulled Pork Sandwiches

courtesy of Diane Cañate

Ingredients

• sweet pulled pork
• rolls or small buns
• cole slaw (homemade or store bought)

Pork Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds pork
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/8 tsp garlic salt
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/2 cup green chili sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions

1. Put pork, 1/3 cup water, garlic salt, salt, and pepper, in the crock pot.
2. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
3. Drain, shred pork, stir in 1/2 cup green chili sauce and 1/2 cup brown sugar.
4. Assemble sandwiches with pulled pork topped with slaw on rolls.

For the not so eager cook, here are some shortcuts:

1. Pick up some wings from your favorite local bar, pub, or Hooters. In the Salt Lake Valley, may I suggest Wing Coop, with 17 amazing sauces, your guests will never get bored of the flavors at your house.
2. Order pizzas from your favorite pizzeria and have them slice it into smaller bite size squares and serve.
3. Always check with your local grocery store for ready made game day items. (I love Whole Foods' guacamole, as well as their black bean dip.)

With all these tasty foods your party is sure to be a touchdown.